Cara’s POVAfter speaking with the commission’s assistants, I was able to convince them to let me have an audience with the full commission for the next day. The assistant didn’t outright say so, but I felt as if they had been expecting my call. Everything felt very prepared, especially being able t
“How was your day today?” he asked as he casually approached me in the kitchen. I had the fridge open, but I avoided the wine today, grabbing some apple juice instead. When he saw what I was holding, he seemed to relax marginally. “Better, I hope.”“Better,” I told him, though I was still nervous ab
Cara’s POVThat night, after our conversation, I had hoped that Alaric might roll over and pull me into his arms again. However, as he had before, he stayed entirely on his own side, lying flat on his back all night, not even turning toward me.I was certain of this because, as much as I tried to, I
Cara’s POVMelinda spotted me too, likely at the same time I saw her. Apparently feeling no shame, she started to smile.“What are you doing here?” I asked her. “You’re exiled.”“From DuskWood, not from BloodyMoon,” Melinda said.“At least not until Eamon hears about this,” Ruby said.Melinda turned
Alaric’s POVAs I walked into Eamon’s office, he didn’t even look up from the paperwork on his desk at first.“I am a busy man, Alaric,” he said. “I want you to know that I had to push back a meeting with a very prominent member of the pack to fit in your emergency meeting. I hope you have a good re
“What’s going on?”“The commission has decided to allow admittance to a brand new contender.” She sighed so heavily that it crackled the speakers. “I swear they love to make my work more difficult. I thought of simply pacing her in your spot, but I’ve also heard that you are staying for the competit
Alaric’s POV“Lilia?” Eamon asked with disbelief. “The same Lilia who kidnapped my niece and tried to kill my sister?”I wished I had a different answer for him than the one I had. “Yes. The very same.”“How? How is any of this possible?” Eamon insisted.“She used to be a princess,” I said, the same
Alaric’s POVCara wasn’t at her desk and no one knew where she’d gone. Worry flooded through me until, after sending her a text, I received one back.At rehearsal. Will talk after.I didn’t know if that meant she had seen Lilia, but I hoped not. I wanted to be the one to break the news gently, after
Cara’s POVBack under the pavilion for another break before the next contest, I sat at one of the picnic tables with my arms stretched out and ice packs over my aching muscles.“There’s no reason for you to participate in the final event,” Charlotte said to me, echoing previous warnings made by both
Cara’s POVThe day was filled with contests with very little time to break in between. As such, I wasn’t able to talk with Alaric, my brothers, or Noel. Instead, though, I filled in the Claw Sisters and Georgie on what occurred.“A secret stabbing is so cowardly,” Charlotte said. “If she had any hon
Cara’s POVAt once, I moved my arm up to shield myself, desperate to protect my vital organs.Yet, when the knife stabbed into me, I surprised to find that the blade pushed back, harmlessly, into the handle. I’d seen such a thing happen in the past, during stage shows. Her knife was nothing more tha
Alaric’s POVWith Colin watching the kids, Ryan, Aidan, and I went to spectate the cooking event. The event itself was being held in a large gymnasium, with special mats set up to protect the typical gym floor. Atop the mats, each contender was given their own section, with their own counters, appli
Cara’s POVThe next day I was somewhat exhausted from the event on the night before. The organizers of the event must have taken that into consideration because today was the last day of rest before the contests started the next day.The cooking showcase was my first event, and I was already nervous
Alaric’s POVI was ready to start throwing hands a minute ago, but now, seeing how quickly and resolutely the BloodyMoon pack came to Cara’s defense, I allowed myself to calm down, at least enough to sit back down and contain myself.My fury at those that had spoken against Cara remained, however, a
Cara’s POVAs we started to move about the stage, following the steps of our routine, I kept an eye on Lilia and her can of paint. I had my suspicions that it was intended for me. At a crucial moment, when we were at the front of the stage, the routine would bring us directly side by side.Perhaps t
Cara’s POVGeorgie asked me to return to my dressing room, where she arrived shortly after carrying the gown that she was supposed to be wearing that evening. On herself, she was wearing a robe.Looking at my own dress still filled me with a sense of mourning. It had been such a beautiful thing, des
None of them seemed even remotely guilty. They were all entirely confident, I could see it in their eyes.Only Lilia wore a different expression. When no one else could see her but me, she seemed smug, smirking. She pointed to a nearby camera.“I’ve been on camera this entire time, too, if you don’t